Gautam Dhingra

In Loving Memory of Gautam Dhingra

Gautam Dhingra, 63, of Chicago, IL, passed away peacefully at home on July 19, 2025, surrounded by his loving wife, Ritu, and their children, Brian and Remy.

Gautam was a beloved father, husband, uncle, brother, and friend; an accomplished investment professional; an exceptional listener and conversationalist; a witty, introspective writer; and a steady, caring presence. He will be remembered by those closest to him for his quiet confidence and gentle wisdom. Gautam's vast depth of knowledge and analytical, thoughtful nature made him a trusted adviser to many in both his personal and professional spheres.

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Gautam was born on December 11, 1961, to the late Sri Asa Nand and Chander Kanta Dhingra. He was raised in Delhi, India, alongside elder siblings Jaishree, Praveen, Poonam, and Kapil. Determined to follow his early passion for mathematics and finance, he earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Delhi's Sri Ram College of Commerce and graduated ranked first in his MBA cohort from the University of Delhi Faculty of Management Studies at the age of 21.

Never one to tread a beaten path, Gautam took a risk and immigrated to the United States, dreaming big but short on connections and cash. He attended the University of Georgia on a Rotary Scholarship and later transferred to the University of Florida, where he received his Ph.D. in Finance and Econometrics with a focus on derivatives.

Gautam first called Chicago home in 1986, when Lincolnshire-based investment consulting firm Hewitt Associates offered this academic from abroad an opportunity as a Director of Investment Research. In this role, Gautam guided pension funds and other institutional investors on how to preserve and grow their capital. He later became one of Hewitt's youngest partners.

In 2002, he took another risk, giving up his rewarding job in investment consulting to become an investor himself. In this new chapter as an entrepreneur, Gautam grew his firm High Pointe Capital Management by employing an innovative approach to value-oriented investing. He worked side-by- side with his wife, Ritu, to run High Pointe successfully for 21 years before retiring.

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Even as a full-time entrepreneur, Gautam always made time for his favorite cause: financial education. For two decades, he volunteered his time with the nonprofit CFA Institute and the CFA Society Chicago, including serving as the Chicago chapter's President in 2013-14. In 2023, he received the CFA Society Chicago's Hortense Friedman, CFA, Award for Excellence. In his acceptance speech, Gautam reflected that while he had contributed much to the Society, the sense of community he received in return was even more meaningful.

Gautam's passion for financial education also led him to teaching. As a Lecturer of Finance at Northwestern University, he designed and taught an MBA course called The Business of Investing. He also provided his perspective on myriad investment topics to local and international publications alike.

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Over the past 10 years, Gautam valiantly battled Stage 4 colorectal cancer, equipped with relentless perseverance and the unyielding support of his beloved wife of 33 years, Ritu. In 2022, Gautam shared his experience through an op-ed ( https://www.chicagotribune.com/2022/11/26/gautam-dhingra-i-have-months-to-live-heres-how-ive-embraced-acceptance/ ) in the Chicago Tribune in the hope of helping others facing similar trials.

Gautam approached his journey-both before and after diagnosis-with steady calm and graceful acceptance of life's twists and turns. Even in the face of great challenges, his commitment to caring for his family and friends and desire to contribute to the world at large never faltered.

Gautam's resilience was an inspiration to all who knew him, and he will be greatly missed by the many whose lives he touched.

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In lieu of flowers, the family asks that friends and family consider donating to supporting cancer research. Donations may be made to Northwestern Memorial Foundation, PO Box 734985, Chicago, Illinois 60673-4985. Please make checks payable to "Northwestern Memorial Foundation" and include "Gautam Dhingra Memorial" in the memo line. Donations can also be made online at foundation.nm.org or over the phone at (833) 443-8663. (Click on "Give Now" > Direct the gift to "Other Designation" > Write in "Gautam Dhingra Memorial"). Your gift will support The Cancer Center Research Fund to support the work of Dr. Mary Mulcahy, Gautam's oncologist of 10 years.